Focus Patterns – a website blocker that notices your habits

About

If you're here, you probably already know which websites are the problem. You don't need me to tell you. You've probably tried a site blocker before. Maybe it worked for a while. Maybe it didn't.

This is another website blocker. A distraction blocker. It blocks websites. That's what it does.

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Here's what makes it different:

It shows you your patterns. Not in a judgmental way. Just... data. When you try to visit blocked sites most often. Which days are harder than others. Whether your self control is getting better or worse over time.

Seeing your patterns can be uncomfortable. But it can also be useful for your digital wellbeing.

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The free version does more than you'd expect.

You get 15 rules to block sites. That's enough for most people. You can block by domain, or get specific with URLs, page titles, or even words on the page. If a site keeps pulling you in, you can match it however you need to.

Scheduling works the way you'd hope for time management. Block during work hours. Unblock after 6pm. Whatever fits your life. You can also set screen time limits on up to 3 rules — give yourself 30 minutes of YouTube a day, and it cuts you off when you're done. Sometimes I hate that feature. Which probably means it's working.

There's a wait timer for when you try to unlock something. Forces you to sit there and think about whether you really need it. Usually I don't. Sometimes I wait anyway. It's friction against procrastination.

You can flip on whitelist mode if you want the nuclear option — block everything except a handful of sites you whitelist. It's extreme. Some days that's what it takes for focus.

The free version also shows your Focus Health Score. Just a number and a tip. Enough to know if your productivity is improving or sliding backward.

All your data stays on your device. No account. No tracking. I don't want to know what you're blocking.

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Pro is when you need an extra boost for self control. Here's when it might be worth it.

If 15 rules isn't enough, Pro removes the limit. Same with time limits — free caps you at 3, Pro lets you set as many as you want. You can also schedule up to 24 different time ranges per day if your life is that complicated.

Password protection is Pro-only. You set a password, and now your weaker self can't just turn off the site blocker when the craving hits. There's brute force lockout too — 5 wrong attempts and it locks for an hour. I've locked myself out before. That's the point.

The friction challenges are where it gets interesting. Free gives you the wait timer. Pro adds typing a phrase like "I'm choosing distraction" before you can access the site. Or solving math problems. Or writing out why you need access right now. You can stack them — wait 5 minutes, then type the phrase, then solve a math problem. By the time you're done, the urge has usually passed. Usually. It's designed to break the procrastination loop.

Pro also opens up the deeper insights. Vulnerability windows show when your willpower is weakest. Craving scores tell you which sites have the strongest pull. Spiral detection catches when one blocked site leads you to try three more. Distraction chains show you which sites trigger which — turns out Reddit leads me to YouTube about 70% of the time.

There are 5+ behavior archetypes. Things like "Late-Night Feeder" or "Spiral Chainer." Sounds gimmicky. But knowing I'm a late-night person helped me realize I should just go to bed earlier instead of fighting it. Better for productivity and digital wellbeing.

Distraction Autopsy asks you why you keep going back. What were you avoiding? How were you feeling? Over time it builds a picture — your Distraction Genome. It can be uncomfortable to see. But also clarifying. Useful for managing your screen time and understanding your habits.

Pro keeps 2 years of stats and 500 history entries. Free shows 7 days and 50 entries. The older stuff isn't deleted — just blurred until you upgrade.

30-day money-back guarantee. Cancel whenever. The free tier stays if you stop paying.

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Some limitations.

This won't fix your life. It's a speed bump, not a wall. Your phone is still right there. If you're determined to get distracted, you'll find a way. I have.

The insights only help if you look at them. Most people don't. Focus takes effort.

Since all your data stays on your device, I don't know if you may run into bugs. If you do, please contact me.

The free tier is limited on purpose. That's how this stays funded. I tried to make the limits reasonable, not frustrating. But you'll notice them eventually. If you feel the free tier is not enough and you don't have the funds, directly message me and I'll help you out.

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I built this because I needed it for time management. I still need it.

I don't know if it'll help you. I hope it does.


Updates
- v0.14.9 - Added feedback form
- v0.14.8 - Updated the icon-48.png icon because it gave an error on install.